Personal Microderm System Review
The personal microderm system is a hand-held microdermabrasion system which can be safely used at home. It uses the same technology as the microdermabrasion systems which are used by professional salons and clinics and should be used in conjunction with a cell renewal or skin resurfacing cream such as M2 Skin Finish or Boske Molecular Repair (which is applied after the exfoliation)to gently remove dead skin cells and delay the signs of aging. It combines both an exfoliating action, using aluminium oxide crystals, and a vacuum suction for professional results.
The initial price tag can be a little off-putting, as the Personal Microderm system costs up to four times as much as single-use products. Many people are also concerned that it might be too harsh and abrasive for their skin - $180 is a lot of money to waste if it ends up in the cupboard. But having thoroughly checked out the product reviews and having done the maths on how much can be saved in the long term, there is no doubt that it can be a valuable addition to your routine skin-care routine as it really does deliver on what it promises.
How It Works
The Personal Microderm system is a small device about the size of a lady-shave. It comes with 5 exfoliating discs (2 green and 3 blue), a power cord, a reusable filter and two caps - one for larger discs and one for the smaller discs . The blue discs are for sensitive skin and the green ones are for medium skin. You can also get red ones which provide the strongest level of exfoliation. The discs also come in two sizes, a larger one for the larger areas of skin such as the face, hands, feet etc; and a smaller size for those tricky areas such as the nose and forehead or wherever the bone structure makes suction difficult. You will need to buy additional discs over time (each disc lasts for around three treatments), which are around $15 for six - this still works out far cheaper than other kits. Importantly it also comes with an instruction DVD to make the whole process easier.
It can be a little tricky to use at first. The Personal Microderm System is best used once a week and it can take two or three treatments before you start to get the hang of it - most reviews of this product agree that it is worth persevering as it does get easier. It is also tempting to be a little over eager the first couple of times and to apply too much pressure. I would recommend a little caution for those first few times - start using it very gently and take time to get used to the level which is best for your skin.
How Does the Personal Microderm System Work?
Personal Microderm System is a set which comprises of the actual dermabrasion machine, a power cord, a reusable filter, two caps (one for each size of disc) and an initial supply of exfoliating discs (2 green and 3 blue). An instructional CD is also supplied as well as a paper copy operation manual.
There are three types of exfoliating discs:
- Blue - the most gentle which is for use on sensitive skin
- Green - medium coarseness
- Red - the most abrasive, which must be used with extreme caution - in fact the manufacturer recommends that you should only use these after a consultation with one of their licensed estheticans.
The discs comes in two sizes, large for the body and cheeks and small for the harder to reach areas such as the nose and forehead or wherever the bone structure makes suction more difficult.
These discs last for around three treatments and you can re-order packs of 6 discs as you need them.
The set includes the machine only, it does not contain any necessary cream or serum. For best results, the Personal Microderm System should be used together with a skin renewal or resurfacing cream such as M2 Skin Refinish or Boske Molecular repair, however, that is not to say that it would not work as well with a different skin renewal product of your choice.
How To Use the Personal Microderm System
For best results, it is recommended that you use the Personal Microderm System in conjunction with a suitable cell renewal product such as Boske Molecular repair or M2 Skin Finish.
One great thing I loved about this product is the flexibility. You can use the different coarseness of exfoliating disc according to your skin sensitivity PLUS you can use it on other parts of the body.
How often can you use the Personal Microderm System?
- The manufacturer recommends that the Personal Microderm System is used once per week, whatever your skin type, for around 10-12 weeks. After this, switch to twice a month for 2-3 months, then once a month after that for maintenance. They do point out that this is depending on the condition of your skin, as more problematic skin might need a more frequent maintenance.
- The first time you use it, you should do a skin test on a small area of the body to see whether you have sensitive skin. If you do have sensitive skin, make sure that you use the more gentle discs and only light pressure to exfoliate your skin. It is better to start gently and build up the pressure over the weeks to avoid damage.
How exactly does the Personal Microderm System work? Here is what you do:
- Cleanse your skin (or other part of your body) thoroughly and make sure that your hair is pulled back from your face and secured. It is important to make sure that your skin is thoroughly dry before you start the exfoliation.
- Pulling the skin tight with your fingertips, apply the Microderm gently to your skin, maintaining even contact to keep the suction action working. This suction is important as it draws the blood supply and collagen towards the surface of the skin for even better results. Make sure that you do not exfoliate one area for too long - keep it moving! The other thing to be careful of is the eye area - you should not use the machine below the eyebrow or above the cheekbone as the skin is so delicate there. Make sure that you do not apply too much pressure, especially in the early treatments. You will soon be able to gauge the correct pressure for your skin.
- After exfoliating, wash the dead skin off your face or body and use a toner to neutralise the PH balance. When the toner is dry, apply a cell renewal serum or cream immediately after treatment and also apply sunscreen for at least three days after the treatment.
- Make sure that you clean the unit each time you use it by taking off the disc and cap and removing the small filter inside the unit. Clean the filter with warm water - it is an important step as the filter prevents dead skin cells from clogging up the vacuum system.